Police allege victim left on floor for more than 15 hours, subjected to repeated mistreatment
A Philadelphia woman working as a caregiver is facing criminal charges after police said she abused and neglected a 91-year-old Montgomery Township resident suffering from dementia.
Wilesha Sherema Shirley, 33, of the 5600 block of Upland Way, was charged with misdemeanor counts of abuse of a care dependent person and endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person following an investigation into her care of the elderly woman at a home on Kenas Road, according to a criminal complaint filed by Montgomery Township Police.
The investigation began in March 2025 after the victim’s family reported concerns about her condition and reviewed home surveillance footage. According to police, the video showed the victim falling to the floor and remaining there overnight without assistance.
The victim was alone and on the floor all night until 9:15 a,m. the following day, police said, noting she was not helped back up for more than 15 hours.
Additional footage and witness accounts described a pattern of mistreatment, including verbal abuse, failure to assist with mobility, and withholding care. Police said the caregiver also failed to follow the victim’s care plan, which required assistance with movement due to a high fall risk.
In one instance, investigators said the defendant yelled at the elderly woman and refused to help her walk safely, behavior they described as lacking “comfort and compassion” expected for a dementia patient.
Authorities also alleged concerns about medication practices and interactions with medical staff, along with other incidents of neglect captured on video and reported by a visiting nurse.
Investigators said the alleged actions demonstrated a “reckless disregard” for the victim’s health and safety.
Shirley is free on $10,000 unsecured bail ahead of an April 28 preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy. She is represented by public defender Prince Charles Yakubu.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
